Training the Part-Time Tactical Athlete Online CE Course

This course consists of the following:

• Training the Part-Time Tactical Athlete video presentation
• Slide deck
• Practice exam
• Online continuing education exam

Training the Part-Time Tactical Athlete equips you with the knowledge and tools you need to effectively train part-time tactical athletes in the Army Reserve and National Guard. Explore the unique demographic, logistical, and operational challenges faced by these athletes, including inconsistent training schedules, limited access to equipment, and the demands of a long-term military career. You’ll get actionable strategies for helping athletes pass the Army Fitness Test and meet body composition standards. You’ll also benefit from guidance for programming with minimal effective doses and for sustaining soldier readiness across both garrison and civilian environments. By applying these methods, you’ll be prepared to design effective, sustainable programming that helps soldiers meet standards, improve readiness, and reduce their injury risk—all while balancing their military, civilian, and family responsibilities.

Learning Objectives

• Describe the demographics and structure of the Army Reserve and National Guard.
• Contrast the readiness challenges of the Army Reserve and National Guard to the needs of active-duty forces.
• Explain the body composition standards of part-time soldiers and discuss how failures affect deployability and career progression.
• Analyze performance profiles from physical fitness testing to identify weak domains and prioritize training interventions that reduce injury risk.
• Apply minimal effective dose and micro-session strategies to develop training plans for Reserve and National Guard soldiers with limited time and inconsistent schedules.
• Demonstrate how to incorporate rucking, bodyweight exercises, and improvised equipment into practical training sessions.

Audience

Certified strength and conditioning professionals, human performance specialists, or other professionals working with part-time tactical athletes.

Mark Christiani, MSSM, CSCS, RSCC, is a tactical strength coach and Special Operations Army veteran with extensive experience in human performance across tactical, collegiate, and corporate wellness settings. He holds a master of science degree in sports medicine from Georgia Southern University. In his current role as a human performance specialist with the U.S. Army Reserve, he supports soldier readiness and sustainability by delivering tailored training programs, teaching education classes, consulting on nutrition and recovery, and assisting with return-to-duty rehabilitation. His practical, field-based expertise bridges the gap between high-level performance principles and the real-world demands of part-time tactical athletes.